Women and Gender Graduate Academic Programs within the Open, Distance e-learning Framework Finaflor F. Taylan, RSW UPOU
Objectives of the Diploma in/ Master of Social Work Programs of UPOU designed for professionals engaged in social welfare and social development work higher level of competence for direct practice and leadership in their field of social work practice Using Open, Distance e-learning (ODeL) Framework
Gender Mainstreaming in SW Curriculum All subjects; cross cutting issue and perspective Highlighted in SW 201: Social, Economic and Political Structures and Process SW 202: Human Behavior and Social Environment All other subjects (Clinical practice, Social Administration, Social Work Research, Community Organizing; Field Instruction)
Research: Social Work Program of UPOU towards Increasing access to education and equality
Objectives This exploratory research discusses the perceptions of the Program s students on the contribution of the SW program to increasing access to education considering the variables of students profile in terms of sex familial arrangement, geographical location, physical conditions/learning concerns, & nature of employment. identifies facilitating & hindering factors in relation to the SW Program s contribution to increasing access to education are identified & explained at the realms of the SW program, UPOU, workplace, family, community & society at large.
Profile: Sex More females than males Can be attributed to the usual sex/gender profile of social workers in the Phils and even abroad who are mostly females
Profile: Familial arrangement Many are married With a range of 1-4 family members to take care of
Profile: Location A. Philippines: distributed in different parts of the country (both urban and rural areas) B. Offshore: Middle East and USA
Profile: Physical conditions/ Learning abilities Most said they are normal *One deaf student
Profile: Employment Information Type of Organization/ Field of Practice More in the government followed by those in the international humanitarian organization, non government organization, and academe Both in direct practice (i.e., case management/ emergency) and indirect work (i.e., technical assistance, advocacy, research, program management and supervision) One s work is not related to SW (bank)
Results: Learners Profile The students profile presents how the Social Work Program can directly & indirectly contribute to social & economic equality among the clients and of the studentprofessionals themselves, through acquisition of an updated & more relevant professional competence of the student-professionals.
Contribution to access to education and equality ALL said YES that the SW program of UPOU contributes to increasing access to SW education and equality Provides flexible time & access to working & full time parents w/o having to sacrifice work & personal obligations (family) but still mindful of deadlines and assignments Enables pursuance of one s career in SW (to become licensed SW) despite being in other country
Contribution to access to education and equality Studying at one s own time, pace & location Even the time difference doesn t matter much as one can do work outside the classroom at own time Able to help in one s work, analyzing client s situation better Became more analytical & provide technical inputs to supervisees Enhances cognitive abilities and confidence in one s work and self
Facilitating Factors: Personal/ Learner Factors Access to internet Owning/access to computer/laptop Coming from diverse backgrounds, learners experiences can be a rich source of SW education
Facilitating Factors: Social Work Program Readily available reading materials/module Mode of education: online, distance Schedule are finalized thus one can manage time well & get flexible with other personal obligations Faculty: timely feedbacking online thru online discussions & assignments
Facilitating Factors: Social Work Program Course Content enriches one s knowledge of social work Issues are a lot realistic (heart felt & seen) which gives one advantage to an open university as learners are left on their own most of the time to observe & learn/ponder on one s role in the scheme of things Provided reading materials are interesting readings & are all relevant to the topics in the course
Facilitating Factors: Social Work Program Learning Activities discussion board & open communication for any clarification Sharing of other learners facilitated deeper grasp of topics discussed assignments are as challenging as one always relate to own experience & what is seen in one s own locality
Hindering Factors: Personal/Learner Factors Inadequate access to internet/ phone signal due to area of assignment Lack of time management skills to fulfill the requirements (unexpected load of requirements); Difficulty of understanding thoroughly some of the concepts as you are left most of the time to self study (for some faculty) One s work does not highlight SW much
Hindering Factors: Social Work Program Faculty: late feedbacking for some; limitation with direct interaction & validation of learnings Learning activities: students fall into laziness & lack of motivation to continue especially if activities are monotonous & do not facilitate interaction or the feeling that they are alone Group work has value add to this access but becomes too difficult as fellow classmates are located all over & finding a common time & coordinating as a group can be challenging
Hindering Factors: Social Work Program Course offering: lack of available subjects & accessibility to do field work at any given semester which makes it longer to finish the degree Others: shift in FI requirements especially on reporting mechanisms (due to failure of workagency to accept student for FI)
Other Comments Thankful to UPOU for being able to gain competence in SW for advancement of services to people & proper dealings with them
PARAMETERS Program/Curriculum Course Materials Course Design and Delivery Faculty Students Academic Policies (admission, retention, graduation) Program management Problems, Solutions, Directions Relevance Effectiveness Quality Sustainability Contribution to Academic Excellence Access to Quality Education Betterment of Tertiary Education Through Open & Distance Learning